direct rule

direct rule (uncountable)

1. (particularly in Northern Ireland) Control by the central government of an area that has had its own governing body in the past.
   • 2005 December 19, Angelique Chrisafis, “Adams should resign over spy scandal, urges SDLP”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     Unionists have demanded a full public inquiry into the "Stormontgate" affair which began in October 2002 when allegations of an IRA spying operation at Stormont prompted suspension of the Northern Ireland assembly and three years of direct rule.

   • 2017 October 22, Sam Jones, “Catalonia weighs up declaration of independence”, in the Guardian‎:

     The Catalan parliament will meet over the coming days to agree its response to the Spanish government’s unprecedented decision to impose direct rule as speculation mounts that the regional president, Carles Puigdemont, is planning to press ahead with a unilateral declaration of independence.